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Happy to say I’ve read 2), 3) and 8). The fact that “Nickel and Dimed” is challenged is particularly troubling, as the book is an outstanding testament to how the deck is stacked against the working poor in this country. Fascinating, funny, yet immensely sad and informative, “Nickel and Dimed” should be required reading in all schools, particularly institutions where the wealthy send their children. If nothing else, it might teach them how to tip decently.

Nope – can’t have folks reading about the dangers of a distopian state (Brave New World), how (as @Erich Shrempp states) the economic deck is stacked against anybody who is not rich (Nickel and Dimed), or the supernatural (Twilight) that does not involve one particular long-haired zombie in a loin cloth with holes in his hands and feet…. nosirreebob!

I’m not clear on why Alexie’s book is number two. A far as I can tell, it was only challenged in one school district. Was it because nearly every parent in the school district voted to remove the book from the school curriculum, and they’re counting each parent as a single challenge?

My 3.5 year old son picked #1 out at the library because, well, penguins are cute. He was, as I anticipated, completely fine with it. Why wouldn’t two boy penguins, who spend all their time together and can’t have a baby get to raise one when they’ve shown they want to.

Of course, he also got The Hen who Crowed. Meaning that he’s already gotten the G and T out of GLBT. I know there’s a book about two mommies…I hesitate to imagine what a toddler book about bisexuals would look like…

Children do not get the credit they deserve. They are so open to accepting the way the world actually works. Gay people have been living together since the beginning, and it should not be a big deal. An un-tainted child will accept this with no problem. I think kids may actually have a better sense of logic than many adults do.

Here in Seattle, a high school dropped Brave New World from the curriculum after a Native American parent objected to the portrayal of “savages” in the novel, claiming it was racist. I highly doubt said parent actually read the book.